DETROIT (AP) — Columbus Blue Jackets center Artem Anisimov was alert and moving when he was taken off the ice on a stretcher Thursday night after being struck in the head by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey.

The 24-year-old Russian center was taken to a hospital as a precaution because he said his head hurt, according to team spokesman Todd Sharrock.

Anisimov was on his back, motionless, early in the second period after Quincey appeared to hit him in the head with his left fist and forearm. Quincey skated off the ice following the collision and went to Detroit’s dressing room with an injured left leg. Quincy wasn’t expected to return to the game.

Anisimov was skating toward the back of Detroit’s net alongside Red Wings defenseman Ian White when Anisimov lost his balance as Quincey landed a blow to his head that didn’t seem intentional.

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The medical staff for both teams helped put Anisimov on a backboard before he was taken off the ice. The Joe Louis Arena crowd was quiet while Anisimov was carefully being prepared to be put on a stretcher. Anisimov was cheered when he was wheeled off the ice.

Anisimov has four goals and six points in 15 games this season, his first with the Blue Jackets. He averaged 36 points the previous three seasons with the New York Rangers.